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At last, night market season has arrived. The annual crop of night markets seem to reward us for trudging through cold days all winter—and now enduring sweltering days not quite perfect for dining outdoors.
A bevy of open-air night markets will pop up around town this summer, from the upper reaches of the Bronx to Queens. We've rounded up details on all of them, so grab some cash and make plans to eat locally—and deliciously.
Bronx Night Market
First day April 26; Last day October 25; Runs on the last Saturday of the month
Since 2017, the Bronx Night Market has been the longest-running event series in the Bronx. You can find it in Fordham Plaza on the last Saturday of each month through October. Among the 35 vendors you can find refreshing drinks from Aguas Frescas Tlaxcalita, smoked chorizo from Casallas Kitchen and grilled lobster tail from Keez 2 The Kitchen.
Other activities include a pop-up bookstore curated by Bronx is Reading, which will host a bunch of literary activities for folks of all ages; a new general store filled with fresh products sourced locally called Fordham Farmers Market; Bronx Native's beloved Tiny Desk concert series; and a vegan bazaar that will promote the sort of healthy foods that the "traditional" market does not regularly pay attention to.
Uptown Night Market
First day April 10; Last day October 9; Runs on the second Thursday of the month
The massive foodie fest at Uptown Night Market is back in Harlem, running monthly into the fall. Expect more than 50 food, beverage and merch vendors showcasing the talents of locals in the community. This super popular event draws a crowd of 8,000 people time after time for foods like Mexican-style hot dogs, tacos, empanadas, shish kebabs and lots more. The free-to-attend outdoor event series runs on the second Thursday of the month now through October. Find the all-ages event under the Arches of Harlem at 133rd and 12th Avenue in West Harlem.
Queens Night Market
Sneak preview April 19 and April 26, officially opens May 3; Last day October 25; Runs every Saturday
It’s hard to get good food on the cheap, but for ten years, Queens Night Market has prided itself on offering the city’s best eats for just $5-6.
Ranked one of the best food festivals in the U.S., the festival runs on Saturday nights through the summer at the New York Hall of Science in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Ready to see what's new? While the free festival officially kicks off on Saturday, April 26, the event is selling a limited number of tickets for a sneak preview on April 12 and April 19. There will also be other items sale besides food, including vintage apparel, handmade jewelry, ceramic products, locally produced art pieces, crochet toys, stationery and much more.
In its existence, the market has attracted over three million visitors, helped launch 450 new businesses in New York and represented more than 95 countries through its vendors and their food. In 2022, the event averaged over 15,000 attendees each Saturday night.